PORT ANGELES — Have an interest in becoming a citizen scientist and love walks on the beach?
The University of Washington’s Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) needs volunteer beachwalkers to report on buoys, bottles, bobbles and other marine debris washed up on local beaches.
It will hold a free orientation/training workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Feiro Marine Life Center on Port Angeles City Pier.
No prior experience with scientific data collection is needed, but volunteers should be interested in surveying a local beach once a month.
The COASST training will provide volunteers with the skills and equipment needed to “collect data that speaks directly to the source and transport pathways of debris, as well as to the potential harm to people, wildlife and local coastal ecosystems.”
To reserve a seat at the Dec. 3 workshop, phone 206-221-6893 or email coasst@uw.edu.
There will be a break for lunch in the middle of the workshop. Attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch, or money to purchase food in the area.
A kit deposit is requested to begin surveys, and deposit scholarships are available.
COASST is a citizen science project of the University of Washington in partnership with state, tribal, and federal agencies, environmental organizations and community groups.
For more information on COASST, visit www.coasst.org.
